This parasitic plant smells like a rotting corpse and doesn’t photosynthesize.
Unlike most plants, Jackal food doesn’t photosynthesize. Instead, it survives by stealing nutrients from the roots of nearby host plants.
Hidden beneath the soil, it also produces potato-like fruits, which are a tasty treat for animals like jackals and porcupines.
Hydnora africana, commonly known as Jackal food, is a parasitic plant native to southern Africa. Unlike most plants, it lacks chlorophyll and does not photosynthesize.
Instead, it attaches to the roots of host plants, particularly species of the genus Euphorbia, to obtain water and nutrients.
This plant remains mostly underground, with only its fleshy flower emerging above the soil surface.
The flower emits a strong odor reminiscent of rotting flesh, which serves to attract pollinators such as carrion beetles and dung beetles. These insects are lured by the smell, enter the flower in search of food or a place to lay eggs, and inadvertently facilitate pollination. – SANBI PlantZA
After successful pollination, Hydnora africana produces fruit that develops underground.
These fruits are similar in appearance to potatoes and are consumed by various animals, including jackals and porcupines, which aid in seed dispersal.
The plant’s unusual appearance and life cycle have intrigued botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.
Its adaptation to a parasitic lifestyle, complete with the emission of a foul odor to attract specific pollinators, highlights the diverse strategies plants have evolved to survive in various environments.
References
Hydnora africana: A detailed description of the plant’s parasitic nature, lack of chlorophyll, and relationship with Euphorbia species. – SANBI PlantZA
Pollination Biology of Hydnora africana: An academic study discussing the plant’s pollination mechanisms and interactions with insect pollinators. – Chicago Journals
Floral Thermogenesis of Hydnora Species: Research on the flower’s heat production and its role in attracting pollinators. – PMC
Hydnora: The Strangest Plant in the World?: An article exploring the unique characteristics and ecological significance of the Hydnora genus. – NPH Online Library
New Species of Hydnora: Information on the discovery of new Hydnora species and their host specificity. – Home
